Villa sack manager Lambert

LONDON (AFP) – Paul Lambert has been sacked as manager of Aston Villa after a run of 10 games without a win took them into the Premier League relegation zone, the club announced on Wednesday.

“Aston Villa Football Club has parted company this evening with manager Paul Lambert,” Villa announced on their website.

“First-team coach Scott Marshall and goalkeeping coach Andy Marshall will continue to prepare the squad for Sunday’s FA Cup tie with Leicester City at Villa Park.”

Lambert, 45, took over at Villa Park in 2012 and led the Midlands club to 15th-place finishes in his first two seasons, but the former Scotland midfielder had come under pressure from fans following a poor run of recent form.

Villa recently went 11 hours without scoring a Premier League goal and supporters unveiled a banner calling for Lambert to leave during their 2-0 loss at fellow strugglers Hull City on Tuesday.